Antiemetic efficacy of levonantradol compared to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Abstract

The antiemetic efficacy of im levonantradol, a synthetic cannabinoid, given at a dose of 1 mg every 4 hours, was compared to oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) given at a dose of 15 mg every 4 hours in a double-blind crossover study. Twenty-six patients receiving emetogenic cancer chemotherapy were evaluated. For each drug, 28% of treated patients had no nausea. The median number of emetic episodes with levonantradol was 2.0 versus 3.0 for THC (P = 0.06). Side effects occurred in 91.7% and 97.3% of levonantradol and THC patients, respectively, with drowsiness and dizziness most commonly seen. Side effects were generally well-tolerated, with only 13.9% of levonantradol and 21.6% of THC patients discontinuing treatment because of side effects. Levonantradol appears to be at least as effective an antiemetic as THC and is the only cannabinoid available for parenteral use.

• Authors: M L Citron, T S Herman, F Vreeland, S H Krasnow, B E Fossieck Jr, S Harwood, R Franklin, M H Cohen
• Journal: Cancer treatment reports (Cancer Treat Rep) Vol. 69 Issue 1 Pg. 109-12 (Jan 1985) ISSN: 0361-5960 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2981616 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Phenanthridines
• Dronabinol
• nantradol

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Dronabinol (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Nausea (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Phenanthridines (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Vomiting (chemically induced, drug therapy)